Bomb

1. What is a bomb in TCGs and CCGs?

A really good card

TCG and CCG players use bomb to describe a very good, high-impact card. Left unanswered, a bomb can usually win a game on its own - because it is just that darn good.

For example, the card Pack Rat was a nearly unbeatable bomb in its Magic: The Gathering (MTG) draft and sealed formats. As such, players who opened a Pack Rat in draft or sealed would almost always play the card in their decks.

When is bomb used in TCGs and CCGs?

You are most likely to hear the word bomb used in regard to MTG and Hearthstone's limited formats, such as draft and sealed. This is because, in those formats, players are forced to play cards of lower quality - making bombs even more bomb-worthy. In constructed formats, players can fill their decks with good removal and bombs of their own, making bombs less OP than they are in limited.

Example

I always try to hold a piece of removal in case my opponent has a bomb
Beware their power
Beware their power

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Updated December 2, 2021
2. What is a bomb in baseball?

A home run

In baseball slang, a "bomb" is a towering home run that flies deep into the stands or clears the fence with impressive power. The term draws from the visual and emotional impact of a bomb dropping—fast, loud, and game-changing.

Fans, commentators, and players often use "bomb" to describe a no-doubt homer, especially one that sails over the outfield wall with serious height or distance. While it's used in all levels of the game, it's especially common in MLB, where powerful hitters like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani frequently "launch bombs" or "drop bombs" that electrify the crowd. The term has been part of the baseball lingo since at least the late 20th century and remains popular in broadcasts, highlight reels, and social media clips.

Example

Did you catch the game last night? Soto absolutely crushed one in the 8th
Oh yeah, that was a bomb! Left fielder didn’t even move—just turned and watched it fly
Dude’s been dropping bombs all season. He’s got, what, 15 already?
Yep, and it’s only May. Pitchers better start ducking

A bomb to the left field stands

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Updated May 6, 2025
3. What does it mean to bomb something?

To fail

Bomb is when you fail badly, especially when the pressure is on. For example, if you bomb a test, an interview, or a performance, it means things went south quickly. People typically use "bomb" as a verb (e.g., "I totally bombed that math quiz"), but they may also use it as a noun (e.g., "That presentation was a total bomb").

The term "bomb" in this context likely emerged in mid-20th-century American slang, originally tied to theater and film, where a bad show was said to "bomb" if audiences hated it. From there, it spread into broader everyday use and became popular across schools, workplaces, and social media. It's still commonly used today to describe moments when someone flops or falls short—whether they're on stage, in class, or just trying something new that doesn't go well.

Example

How did u do on the midterm?
Horrible, I bombed it and my dad's gonna kill me!
Redditor shares that they bombed an exam
Redditor shares that they bombed an exam

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Updated May 6, 2025
4. What is a bomb in surfing?

A massive wave

In surfing slang, a "bomb" is a particularly massive, powerful wave that stands out from the rest in a set. Bombs are the kind of waves that make even seasoned surfers take notice; they break with serious force and can offer an exhilarating, high-stakes ride or a brutal wipeout.

The term emerged organically in surf culture in the 1980s to describe the rare monster waves that roll in unexpectedly. Experienced surfers and commentators widely use the term when calling out the biggest wave in a set or session, whether it be Hawaii's North Shore, California's Mavericks, or Nazaré's Gigantes.

For example, you might hear someone say, "That was a total bomb!" after catching or witnessing a wave that dwarfs the rest. The term is also popular in surf competitions and video edits, often used to hype a wave that tests a surfer's skill and nerve.

Example

Man, did you see that last set? That third wave was a total bomb
Yeah, no kidding! I tried to paddle for it, but it just detonated right in front of me
Jake caught it—dropped in late and still stuck the landing. Definitely the bomb of the day

Riding a bomb

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Updated May 6, 2025

Bomb definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

This page explains what the slang term "Bomb" means. The various definitions, examples, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.

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